Will Israel Finally Have A Working Government?

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — After two years of political uncertainty and four inconclusive elections, many Israelis have resigned themselves to living under interim governments. However towards the end of the 28-day mandate alloted to Yesh Atid leader, the political establishment has woken up dramatically, with Naftali Bennett seen as a possible prime minister in a left-leaning government which would exclude Netanyahu’s Likud as well as the religious parties.

Bennett has come under criticism for abandoning the right wing but he responded that he had initially agreed to serve in a Netanyahu government if it would materialize. After Netanyahu did not succeed in mustering 61 MK’s, Bennett feels he can attempt to gain the leadership himself, albeit for a limited period since he would be rotating the premiership with Yair Lapid. He claims that he had no option but to join the “change government” or that the country would go to a fifth election and stresses that the government will not change the status quo on issues crucial to the right wing.

However Bennett has faced significant opposition -no just from Netanyahu’s supporters but from within his own party and it is far from certain that he will be able to bring the number of votes required to form a government with the left. Without his party the left numbers 51 with possible support from the Raam party of 4 more MKs. Bennett has 7 seats but at least 1 has expressed vehement opposition to joining a left-wing government supported by Arab votes which would be beholden to radical elements and would not be able to support the settlement enterprise which Bennett’s party is committed to.

Moreover Netanyahu attempted at the last moment to offer Gidon Saar and Bennett a rotation in which Saar would be the first to serve in office. Saar however does not trust the prime minister and will most likely not accept his offer, preferring to keep a lower profile in an alternative government rather than serving Netanyahu once again.

The last word has yet to be said but the chances of a new government forming have greatly increased with Bennett’s decision to join the “change parties” which are committed to a government without Netanyahu.